Miles: 92 Climb: 3,250
Today we crossed the Forty Mile Desert, a barren stretch of waterless alkali land between Sparks and Lovelock. For early settlers en route to California in search of gold or a new life, this was the most dreaded section of the California Trail. The heat was great and there was no water for more than 40 miles. The phrase "seeing the elephant" was used by emigrants who crossed the Forty Mile Dessert and lived to tell about it. It was a badge of honor to say you had "seen the elephant."
Today I saw the Elephant. We rode much of the day on Interstate 80 through the high dessert of Nevada. The first 27 miles of the ride was sheer terror. We rode on a three foot strip of asphalt shoulder next to the white line marking the right lane. Semi trucks screamed by us at 70 mph. The shoulder was littered with debris. A retractable dog leash. I wondered what happened to the dog. A man's belt. I wondered what happened to the man. Big chunks of blown tires with bits of wire and metal strewn across the shoulder. After the SAG stop at 33 miles, the traffic lessened, the shoulder was wide and smooth, and the ride was absolutely memorable. The land in this section was barren and salt flats stretched as far as I could see. Fueled by semi truck induced adrenaline and a strong tail wind, my group averaged 19.2 miles an hour for the 92 mile ride in 95 degree heat. I saw the Elephant and I ate its tail.
It feels very bizarre to be riding a bicycle on an Interstate Highway, since in the Midwest it is against the law for non motorized vehicles to enter the freeways. I have learned that states with low density population will allow bikes on freeways if there are no alternate routes within reasonable distance. Today, we were on Interstate 80 for 27 miles, had to get off on an alternate route for 5 miles, then got back on I80 for another 45 miles.
Tomorrow we will again ride I 80 as we make our way across Nevada. The forecast is for cooler weather with a high of 81 predicted.
One rider dropped out of the tour today. He said it was just too much. Everyone else seems to be holding up and the group camaraderie is growing.
Elephant tail. YUM!!!! What an accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a strong cyclist with a cool head, which sounds to be important attributes in that wild terrain. Thank you so much for your posts! Be safe and I'm thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteWow, amazing! Pedal on. And stay strong and stay safe :)
ReplyDeleteThe freeway traffic within arm's reach (more or less) can be very unnerving and the debris daunting. Like you, I've often wondered about how something managed to reach the roadside and the story it might tell. Congratulations on chowing down on that elephant- but perhaps you were really following the advice of an old elementary school song and like Contador, dancing on those pedals!
ReplyDeleteIf you should meet an elephant on a summer's day.
What would you do? What would you say?
I'd say, "Good morning Elephant, how do you do?
I'm glad to meet you elephant, I'd like to dance with you."
The freeway traffic within arm's reach (more or less) can be very unnerving and the debris daunting. Like you, I've often wondered about how something managed to reach the roadside and the story it might tell. Congratulations on chowing down on that elephant- but perhaps you were really following the advice of an old elementary school song and like Contador, dancing on those pedals!
ReplyDeleteIf you should meet an elephant on a summer's day.
What would you do? What would you say?
I'd say, "Good morning Elephant, how do you do?
I'm glad to meet you elephant, I'd like to dance with you."
I think that stretch of freeway can be a bit scary in a car. You don't realize at those speeds how far a bit of wind can you push into the other lands. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteHolly shit Girl. 19.2 mph for 92 miles. Nuf said.
ReplyDelete